Valentine’s Day Countdown, Day 6: Advice for Men

Dean Rotbart, a pal from my Wall Street Journal days, hosts a weekly business show called B. Unconventional on KNUS Radio in Denver. He and his co-host David Biondo interviewed me for a pre-Valentine’s Day show. Among other things, they asked me for tips for men buying jewelry. My advice? Don’t play it too safe. Check out the podcast; I come in at 4:30.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR MY INTERVIEW.

Though I didn’t mention these particular pieces on air, my Isabella wolf-fang designs spring to mind when I tell jewelry-buying men to consider the personalities of the women in their lives more than the jewelry television ads.

18K gold Isabella necklace. $7,000. Click to purchase.

Sterling silver Isabella necklace. $700. Click to purchase.

18K gold Isabella earrings. $8,000. Click to purchase.

Sterling silver Isabella earrings. $800. Click to purchase.

Quite a few men, including photographer Jeff Louviere, have confidently purchased Isabella pieces for their wolf-and/or-dog-loving significant others. And a number of rocker dudes have bought the silver necklace for themselves! So, ladies, if you’re looking for a gift for your man, I’ve got you covered with this one.

The necklace version of the Isabella is one of my designs that needs to be seen in person to be believed. The pendant is not a thin, flat design stamped out of a sheet of metal. It was created with lost-wax casting and, like many of my pieces, it’s 3D. Every detail appears on both sides  — there is no front or back. The wolf even has nostrils and realistic wrinkles on its snout. I used a lot of metal, as I like to do, and people are always amazed by the heftiness of this pendant. To me, that will always be the definition of luxury in jewelry. A lot of designs look beautiful, but, for me, fine jewelry needs to feel beautiful too. I want people to pick up my work and think, “This is a serious piece. No expense was spared to make this.” (Of course, my love of weighty designs doesn’t extend to earrings. I make those light because I don’t want your earlobes dragged down to your knees.)

Another reason I’m so fond of this design is that it was inspired by a great queen story, which I blogged about in 2007.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT ISABELLA, THE SHE-WOLF OF FRANCE.

But, if wolves aren’t your thing, I’ve got plenty more for you to choose from. B. Unconventional posted my links to other lively Valentine’s Day gifts. You can also download all of B. Unconventional’s Valentine’s Day podcasts from iTunes for more ideas.